Danny Röhl suitor club appoints new boss after ‘prohibitive’ Sheffield Wednesday stance
One of the clubs said to have held an interest in appointing Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Röhl has announced their new manager.
Danny Röhl Suitor Club Appoints New Boss After ‘Prohibitive’ Sheffield Wednesday Stance
One of the clubs previously linked with a potential move for highly-rated Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Röhl has officially confirmed a new head coach—bringing to an end speculation over a possible swoop for the German tactician.
Röhl, who has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the brightest young managers in European football, has been the subject of mounting interest from both domestic and overseas clubs in recent weeks. His impressive turnaround of Sheffield Wednesday’s fortunes since arriving at Hillsborough in 2023 has not gone unnoticed, with the 35-year-old leading the club to Championship survival in dramatic fashion and showing strong tactical acumen throughout his tenure.
As the summer managerial merry-go-round gathered pace, several media outlets in both the UK and Germany reported that Röhl was being considered for roles at clubs with higher profiles or greater resources. Speculation was intensified by Röhl’s own end-of-season comments, in which he hinted at the possibility of a new challenge ahead. He publicly confirmed that he had communicated his intentions regarding his future to the Sheffield Wednesday hierarchy some time ago, suggesting a potential departure had been on the cards.
Among the clubs reportedly keen on acquiring his services was Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. The German outfit had recently parted ways with their former manager Ole Werner, opening the door for a possible managerial reshuffle. Reports, including those from BBC Sheffield, indicated that initial discussions had taken place between Röhl and Werder Bremen’s board. However, any further progress appears to have been halted by a major stumbling block—namely, the substantial compensation clause in Röhl’s current contract with the Owls.
Röhl’s deal at Hillsborough runs until 2027, and it’s understood that Sheffield Wednesday are determined to hold firm on their financial demands should any club seek to lure him away. Sources close to the negotiations described the compensation terms as “excessive and prohibitive,” effectively pricing Werder out of a move and ending the possibility of Röhl making a return to his homeland in a managerial capacity this summer.
With their pursuit of Röhl now off the table, Werder Bremen have turned their attention elsewhere and moved swiftly to secure the services of Horst Steffen as their new manager. The 56-year-old, who had been in charge of Elversberg, was unveiled by the club earlier this week following a short and focused selection process.
Steffen comes into the role on the back of a remarkable season with Elversberg, who were on the brink of securing Bundesliga promotion. In a heartbreaking finale, Elversberg fell short in the promotion play-offs after conceding a 96th-minute winner to Heidenheim, denying the small-town club a historic rise to Germany’s top flight. Despite the disappointment, Steffen’s stock rose considerably, and his efforts caught the attention of Werder’s decision-makers.
Speaking upon his appointment, Steffen expressed his gratitude and excitement about the new role: “When Werder first made contact, it was a wonderful recognition of my work,” he said. “During our talks, the management showed me a great deal of appreciation and explained what the club has planned for the next few years. That soon convinced me, and I decided in favour of Werder very quickly. I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
With Werder Bremen now having secured their new boss, Röhl’s immediate future remains up in the air. While he is still under contract at Hillsborough, questions persist over whether he will remain at the club heading into the 2025/26 season, or if another suitor—willing to meet Wednesday’s compensation demands—might come forward. For now, Owls supporters will wait anxiously for further developments, hoping that the man who engineered their recent revival will stay and build upon his growing legacy in South Yorkshire.
